$1.5 Million Jury Verdict in Hospital Death

BEAUMONT – Matthews & Associatesattorneys David Matthews and Jason Webster won a case in Septemberfor the family of a man who died of anundiagnosed heart attack at ChristusHospital St. Mary in Port Arthur. Thesuit charged that Christus staff doctorsignored Aurilano Salas’ family’s admonitionsabout Mr. Salas’ heart condition and Plavix mediction.

Christus doctors diagnosed a respiratoryinfection, prescribed Tylenol forMr. Salas’ fever and antibiotics for hisSepsis. The suit charged that he shouldhave at least been hooked to a heartmonitor and could have been saved.

Defense attorney Curry Cooksey arguedthe victim died of sepsis, the autopsywas “result oriented,” nottechnical enough, and failed to accountfor Mr. Salas prior heart condition andblocked arteries. The jury disagreed.